Clijsters, Pierce in final

New York, September 10:

Mary Pierce and Kim Clijsters both needed three sets on Friday to advance to the US Open final, outlasting Elena Dementieva and Maria Sharapova to reach the title match. Pierce took a controversial injury timeout after losing the first set, then prevailed 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 over Dementieva, to earn a spot in her first US Open final. Clijsters, seeking her first Grand Slam title, blew five match points in the second set fefore overcoming the top-seeded Sharapova 6-2, 6-7, 6-7. Clijsters will be playing for the richest prize in Grand Slam history — double the $1.1m winner’s share, because she won the US Open series leading up to the tournament.